In this guide we cover the basic aspects of using web hosting for the first time. From choosing a domain name and package to configuring email addresses and uploading your website.
- Domain Name
- Which Package?
- Create your account
- Domain Names & DNS
- Upload your files
- Setting up email addresses
Read on after the break for the complete guide.
1. Domain Names
We offer a number of domain name extensions, otherwise known as top level domains (TLDs), including popular choices such as .com, .co.uk and a number of others. All .uk domains have to be registered for a minimum of 2 years, 1 year for all TLDs. Domain names can’t be changed once you have registered them, so make sure you have made your choice correctly before you sign up.
You can quickly and easily check if a domain name is available using the search on our domains page. Once you have found one that you like, and you know it is available, you can proceed to the sign up page.
When your purchase a domain with a web hosting package we register your domain name on your behalf and invoice you for it with your web hosting. You still own the domain and your welcome to move it to another supplier at any time, just contact us and let us know.
If you already own a domain name or you wish to purchase your own then no problem; just enter your domain and select the option during the signup process. Once you’ve signed up we will send you instructions on how to edit your domain name to point at your new webspace.
You can also, if you wish, transfer the domain to us so we can manage it for you. Just select the “Transfer domain” option in the sign up form and we will contact you to arrange the transfer with your current provider.
2. Which Package?
Anvil Hosting has three packages that you can choose from – Aqua, Violet and Indigo, but this doesn’t mean that this is all that we offer, if your requirements are more specific then fill in our bespoke form and we will devise a package that works for you.
Once you have choosen a package and you know the domain name you want head over to our sign up page. You will be first be asked to pick a package, and then a domain name. The sign up form will once again check your domain name is available. If you already own your domain name, you still need to check it is available and select that you want to transfer the domain name or change your name server.
The next part of the order process will collect a few details from you in order to set up your account. If you already have an account with us then you can login before or during the setup process.
After collecting your details we will confirm your order and ask for your payment either via PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account!) or via cash/cheque. Bear in mind that if your choose the cash/cheque option we will contact you at this point to request the payment be sent to us. Your account will only be activated once payment has been cleared.
3. Create your account
Once you have signed up and your account has been activated, you should have several emails in your inbox from us. If you have not recieved any emails from us please check your junk mail and let us know.
Be sure to give these emails a read and keep them safe as they provide lots of useful information that you will need to know in order to start using your account. If you acccidently delete your welcome email then contact us and we’ll resend it to your email address.
4. Domain Names & DNS
If you’ve purchased a domain name it may take up to 48 hours for the DNS system to update and your new domain to ‘resolve’. During this time your website (and any other resources – FTP, webmail etc) may not be accessible via your new domain name, but this doesn’t meant that you have to wait to start using your account.
In your welcome email will be a temporary address so you can start using your new account right away, along with instructions on what to do next if you need to update the nameservers of your domain name.
5. Upload your files
To upload and download files (including web pages) to and from your web space you will need to use an FTP client. A popular free FTP client is FileZilla (download link), some web design programs or IDEs such as Adobe Dreamweaver for Windows or Coda for Mac also come with FTP built-in.
You will be sent details of how to access your FTP in your welcome email after you’ve created your account. You can also add additional FTP accounts via your cPanel online control panel.
If you have never used FTP before, we recommend you read this short guide on how to use it. When an account is created it is given a placeholder index page (called index.html) so you will need to overwrite this with your own index file when you are uploading your files in order to make your website accessible on the Internet.
6. Setting up email addresses
All our packages come with a number of POP3/IMAP email inboxes that you can set up from your cPanel online control panel.
Details of how to access your cPanel can be found in your welcome email. Once logged in just click the Email Addresses icon and follow the instructions.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:42 am